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Friday, 24 June 2011

Book Review:The Name Of The Star By Maureen Johnson

Name: The Name Of The StarAuthor: Maureen JohnsonPublisher: HarperCollins

Summary:The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Review: “The Name of the star” Hmm where do I begin to describe “The Name of the star”. As a East London girl myself When I first received this novel I was a bit apprehensive about the fact it was set in my area and written by someone who doesn't live here, and maybe they wouldn't of got the places right when describing them BUT Maureen Johnson was spot on.

The way she has made East London an atmospheric spooky place is brilliant! The first line, first sentence and first paragraph had me hooked! Everything is so detailed and I love without dragging on she's managed to describe the difference between the UK and US systems from School exams to London transport to school uniforms to English food and much more. The contrast between the two different places described in this novel from Benouville, Louisiana to the busy streets of London is really interesting and I love the detail Maureen has put into it. You can defiantly see she has done her research and you can tell she cared a lot about getting each place right when writing about them which is really impressive!

The history in this novel was AMAZING. I learned things I didn't even know. Jack the ripper was defiantly back in this novel I am truly blown away with all the information about him that I hadn't learned in school. This novel had shocking twists and things I thought I knew were completely not how they seemed. I haven't come across anything as awesome as this in any YA novels I have read. The places in London Maureen describes will have you closing your eyes and just imagining the smells, sounds, people, buildings and the weather I felt myself being drawn into this atmospheric London that I couldn't get out of it.

The characters in this novel really stood out for to me. You have the outsider to Wexford boarding school American teenager Rory. I loved her personality and you can defiantly relate to her on some level if its from not fitting in at school at first or moving to a place you have no idea about. Then you have the 3 awesome people Callum, Boo and Stephan who through out the novel had me scared, Smiling, Laughing and jaw droopingly shocked. And many more characters you guys will come across when reading this. I also love that this novel has a bit of romance as well as the scary stuff, Rory and Jeromes relationship is really touching and I think brings a sort of normality to the situation. I love the way Maureen has put different cultures and different accents that come out of London. Not just the posh accent but the cockney accent which originated in East London and you can defiantly get the East London vibe from reading this book which I think is really effective.

The Name Of The Star is jaw dropping, Jump out of your seat amazing thriller. And I am really happy that I live in such a historic city and I think Maureen Johnson has just re established it to me. I am sure once you have read it you Londoners will feel the same, and I am sure you non Londoners will appreciate the book just as much. This novel will make you realise how ghostly, gorgeous and historic London really is. And I wait with baited breath for the next instalment. I cant describe in so many words without giving spoilers of just how amazing this book is. I see why Harper Collins published it.

P.S Next time I see bits of rubbish flying around the street and there's no wind around blowing it I defiantly will be keeping my eye out (just saying. All will be explained) READ THE NOVEL!